Only 6.1 MW left for wind power incentive

THERE is only one spot available for wind power projects to qualify for the second tranche of the feed-in-tariff (FIT) incentive.

Data from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) show that the remaining capacity for wind power to be eligible in the FIT subsidy is only 6.1 megawatts (MW). The approved installation target was 400 MW.

The ERC has awarded an additional 144 MW of wind projects for FIT incentive that brought the total eligible capacity to 393.9 MW.

The Department of Energy (DOE) has raised the installation target for wind power under the FIT system to 400 MW from 200 MW.

The regulator decided to place limits on the second wave of FIT incentives to the three projects with a total capacity of 144 MW to mitigate the impact of higher power rates on consumers.

Based on the indivisibility rule of the department, the ERC decided to limit the entitlement to three wind projects.

“Mindful of the impact that the changes in the installation targets of RE generation would have on the feed-in tariff allowance that is collected from all on-grid connected consumers, the commission hereby limits the entitlement of wind FIT 2 to the three wind power projects which have commenced commercial operations as certified by the Department of Energy,” the commission said.

Among the projects are the Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corp.’s 54 MW San Lorenzo in Guimaras, Alternergy Wind One Corp.’s 54-MW Pililla wind power in Rizal, and PetroWind Energy Inc.’s 36-MW Nabas wind project in Aklan.

The commission said the last RE project shall be considered eligible for FIT if a portion of its capacity fills in the balance of the corresponding installation target.

The ERC said the three projects are now eligible for the new FIT rate of P7.40 per kWh.

According to ERC, it allowed a lower FIT rate under the second wave because of the recent developments in wind technology. These include the efficiency levels of wind turbines.